Comic Book Investing

[delekkerste]

As far as hearing more about how great you are, I have a better idea. Why not show me instead? I'd like to issue you a challenge. I might be new here but very shortly I will be the teacher and you will be my pupil.

 

While I must decline your generous offer, I do look forward to being schooled by you very shortly. (thumbs u

[RockMyAmadeus]

@blazincomics. I've read this thread with some amusement. Strong opinions on both sides. But I just want to make sure I understand your position. You seem to be saying that comics are in a bubble phase right now, but still in an inflating phase therefore a good investment. Is that really what you are saying?

 

In terms of comparing comics today to the stock market I would say we are similar to where the Nasdaq was in 1997. Expensive and possible danger on the horizon, but I feel we still have room to run with a strong possibility that there are a few very good years ahead. When money is this cheap (rates close to 0%) people will buy just about anything. I would agree with previous posters that have said if rates start to creep up, most asset classes will decline, just as they have rose in tandem. However, if interest rates do creep up, guess who is the biggest loser? It's the US of A, baby! We can't afford the interest on our $17,000,000,000,000 debt as is. I can only imagine the dire outcome if the interest on our debt were to double, which would only be a measley 5.25% on our 10 years. That leads me to believe our fed is bluffing. They have to in an attempt to keep asset prices at non-inflationary levels. The truth is, interest rates could remain very low for quite some time. People are gobbling up 3 year treasuries at under 1%. That right there tells you all you need to know. Even the 30 year is below 3.5%. Cheap money is here to stay, at least for several more years, and as long as that's the case, some, not all comics will probably do fairly well.

 

I have several hundred comics for sale, many of them "blue chip." If what you say is true, my prices should be cheap.

 

I am Comic-Sutra. Check 'em out! I'll happily give you a 10% discount on everything.

 

 

[delekkerste]

I might be new here but very shortly I will be the teacher and you will be my pupil.

 

 

I know this guy by his writing style. Wasn't he here a few weeks ago with that avatar from the Comic Book Men? Walt Flanagan?

 

That would explain a lot.

[DR.X]

I might be new here but very shortly I will be the teacher and you will be my pupil.

 

 

Just found this thread and can't stop laughing. Looks like someones thrown the gauntlet down on Gene.

[Chip Cataldo]

Disney marketing is great but it can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear (hello, Long Ranger).

Is that an adult film? If so, are you talking about a "fleshy silk purse?"

 

 

Peace,

 

Chip

[Sqeggs]

Disney marketing is great but it can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear (hello, Long Ranger).

Is that an adult film? If so, are you talking about a "fleshy silk purse?"

 

 

Peace,

 

Chip

 

Oops!

[Petey's Wheatcake]

Wow. This thread really took off overnight. Highly entertaining reading.

 

"Leaving aside dealers because we are talking about people who invest in comics, not people who buy and sell comics for a living, here is the main point: Of course there are many people who have made significant money off the past run up in comic prices. I've made money off the run up in comic prices. The question is what will happen from here."

 

I honestly did not think that was the question. The statement that I originally responded to was basically "no can make money investing in comics", so I'm glad to see we agree that many people have indeed made significant money, yourself included.

 

There is obviously some debate as to whether that was due to luck, opportune market conditions, or any other number of factors which will inevitably lead to the end of comic book investment as we've known it. Apparently, people have been making money selling comic books, but they strongly advise against doing so in the future.

 

Just kidding, of course. Don't want to accidentally encourage Speedmaster1971 to disavow the class of 2013 too.

 

I do prefer the question as to what will happen from here though, and I'm extremely confident that plenty of money can still be made buying and selling comics. Although it does seem like some of you do not consider buying Undervalued Bronze Comic X, selling it for a profit in 3 months, and then repeating the process truly investing. Taking, let's say $1000, and turning it into $3000 by the end of the year seems like investing to me. If we are instead focusing on purchases that pay off 5 or 10 years from now, that's a great question too, but I would advocate doing both.

 

I should also say that I would never disagree with buying what you like. If I didn't enjoy the hobby as much as I do, I'm sure that I never would have started investing in comics in the first place. And truthfully, if you don't enjoy the idea of seeking out the best books to invest in, you probably would be happier going a different route. This isn't work to me, it's fun.

[Sqeggs]

Wow. This thread really took off overnight. Highly entertaining reading.

 

"Leaving aside dealers because we are talking about people who invest in comics, not people who buy and sell comics for a living, here is the main point: Of course there are many people who have made significant money off the past run up in comic prices. I've made money off the run up in comic prices. The question is what will happen from here."

 

I honestly did not think that was the question. The statement that I originally responded to was basically "no can make money investing in comics", so I'm glad to see we agree that many people have indeed made significant money, yourself included.

 

Although it does seem like some of you do not consider buying Undervalued Bronze Comic X, selling it for a profit in 3 months, and then repeating the process truly investing. Taking, let's say $1000, and turning it into $3000 by the end of the year seems like investing to me.

 

Nobody suggested that no one has ever made money investing in comics. If I PP you a $1,000 will you PP me back $3,000 at the end of the year? (Actually, I'll settle for $2,000! )

[Petey's Wheatcake]

Wow. This thread really took off overnight. Highly entertaining reading.

 

"Leaving aside dealers because we are talking about people who invest in comics, not people who buy and sell comics for a living, here is the main point: Of course there are many people who have made significant money off the past run up in comic prices. I've made money off the run up in comic prices. The question is what will happen from here."

 

I honestly did not think that was the question. The statement that I originally responded to was basically "no can make money investing in comics", so I'm glad to see we agree that many people have indeed made significant money, yourself included.

 

Although it does seem like some of you do not consider buying Undervalued Bronze Comic X, selling it for a profit in 3 months, and then repeating the process truly investing. Taking, let's say $1000, and turning it into $3000 by the end of the year seems like investing to me.

 

Nobody suggested that no one has ever made money investing in comics. If I PP you a $1,000 will you PP me back $3,000 at the end of the year? (Actually, I'll settle for $2,000! )

 

So I get to keep any profits I earn after doubling your money? What if I only turn your $1000 into $1700? Do I have to admit how envious I am of well endowed men?

[mintcollector]

I have about as much interest in reading 500 of your posts as I do in reading another one of your critiques. Apparently you are the worlds greatest investor and anyone else that wants to start a thread about investing is a clown. I would strongly suggest going to Wikipedia and looking up the term "p*nis envy". It might help you come to grips with your problems.

 

As far as hearing more about how great you are, I have a better idea. Why not show me instead? I'd like to issue you a challenge. I might be new here but very shortly I will be the teacher and you will be my pupil.

 

Last night I won a book on the comiclink auction. Detective Comics #93 in universal 7.0. I'd like to wager it against any book you own where the 90 day avg is at least $350. I paid $400 last night so I'm setting the line slightly in your favor.

 

Here's our game. You pick a stock. I pick a stock. The largest % gainer on 1/1/15 wins the others book. We will use the closing price at 4 PM today so Ill give you the weekend to do your homework pupil. Don't pay up and the deadbeat gets outed over and over again.

 

Let me know if you are game. Just tell me what book you are wagering and I will even be the first to pick a stock, right here, on this very thread. All I ask is that you choose a stock from a different sector. If you are game, I will await your reply. Otherwise, next time you feel like typing something on this thread, do me a favor. Don't.

 

You are kidding right now, right?

 

 

[Underground44]

Hence the word "might" Mr. Inferiority Complex. My over under on you is 5' 4 1/2" message board tough guy

 

Talk like that won't get you anywhere insufficiently_thoughtful_person. Spend more time reading threads than posting and you might learn something...

[Underground44]

I might be new here but very shortly I will be the teacher and you will be my pupil.

 

Wow

[kav]

New guy I have some advice....

[Junkdrawer]

Nothin' better than a Friday night and a tall order of trash talk.

[Chip Cataldo]

 

Peace,

 

Chip

[johnshabrock]

is this whole thread about what relatively new comics are undervalued? or speculated at an under value? or what older comics will still hold up? or what comics are flying high and will soon have the rug pulled out from under them? asking what people think will go up? a pump and dump type approach?

 

a warren buffet style purchase may take incredible skill and foresight. buying something and holding it for 52 years, meanwhile adding more of the same type of investments to it could make someone wealthy. but warren buffet doesn't speculate, he has his research down pat.

 

maybe the frank rosenthal approach would be better. but for that you would need inside men everywhere in the highest and lowest echelons of every company. CGC, DC Marvel/Disney HBO AMC FOX Image Dark Horse.

 

just so most of you dont have to google "Who is Frank Rosenthal", he was the person that Robert DeNiro portrayed in Casino. bet like a brain surgeon, never lost, knew everything about a game before it was played, down to how a basketball reacted to different court floors.

For comics raw VS graded, you would need the census listing for the books, what books are coming in(supply outpace demand?), what the graders are grading the books at, is it tight, loose, does the grader need new glasses, (not a joke, to go back to the gambling analogy its like if the quarterback's girlfriend missed her period can this affect the QB, is it something that can distract the grader)

I haven't gotten to what comic characters are green lit by the studios, who is playing the character, who is directing the movie, is there a company ready to pick up the series, if it is a tv show(preacher rumors anyone?) did the movie stink?

what about who is writing and penciling the books, did someone on the creative team leave, i know these two will not affect older books so much, but for older books, did one of the creative members just pass away(no more supply). are they going to add another series for this character. what has other things that people on this team have done?

 

i am sure there are a hundred other things I did not think of, but to invest in this, the amount of homework you would have to do might outweigh the profitability of the venture......

[kav]

I think what the guy is saying is merely buy the book before it's hot then sell when it reaches the peak. Don't know why this is so hard.

[johnshabrock]

I think what the guy is saying is merely buy the book before it's hot then sell when it reaches the peak. Don't know why this is so hard.

 

^the secret. buy the book before its hot then sell it when it reaches the peak.

[Aweandlorder]

I have about as much interest in reading 500 of your posts as I do in reading another one of your critiques. Apparently you are the worlds greatest investor and anyone else that wants to start a thread about investing is a clown. I would strongly suggest going to Wikipedia and looking up the term "p*nis envy". It might help you come to grips with your problems.

 

As far as hearing more about how great you are, I have a better idea. Why not show me instead? I'd like to issue you a challenge. I might be new here but very shortly I will be the teacher and you will be my pupil.

 

Last night I won a book on the comiclink auction. Detective Comics #93 in universal 7.0. I'd like to wager it against any book you own where the 90 day avg is at least $350. I paid $400 last night so I'm setting the line slightly in your favor.

 

Here's our game. You pick a stock. I pick a stock. The largest % gainer on 1/1/15 wins the others book. We will use the closing price at 4 PM today so Ill give you the weekend to do your homework pupil. Don't pay up and the deadbeat gets outed over and over again.

 

Let me know if you are game. Just tell me what book you are wagering and I will even be the first to pick a stock, right here, on this very thread. All I ask is that you choose a stock from a different sector. If you are game, I will await your reply. Otherwise, next time you feel like typing something on this thread, do me a favor. Don't.

 

Wait.. what?

[the blob]

 

 

160K is NOT middle income. And if you are living paycheck to paycheck, you are doing something wrong. You are in the top 5% of all wage earners in this country.

 

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/top-1-percent-earn.aspx

 

Maybe buying too many comic books?

 

Yeah paying for daughters apartment,food...yadayada.Foster parenting her two boys,house payment,bills,my classic car,gas(big one)wife goes through 800 a month in gas,then comics! whew,I got a tad dizzy for a moment.

 

Another example of cost of living increase.

Who knows what gas will be 15 years from now?

I bet in the year 2000 nobody thought they would be paying 800 a month for gas.

 

--------------------------------------

 

cost of living, cost of living, cost of living. my home in NYC costs a million give or take (not that i paid that thank goodness, although the bank owns most of it, as i am reminded every month). my same home in a similar neighborhood in cleveland probably costs $85,000, maybe less. $150-200,000 income in NYC or LA or SF with 2 or 3 kids does not go far. i know it's hard for someone from a low COL area have a tough time grasping this, like i have a tough time grasping buying a nice home for $140K.